Dan Maroske - Western Suburbs District Cricket Club
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Brisbane | April 17, 2024
What year were you born?
1983
Nickname:
Big D; Grade Cricket Royalty (self-appointed); and Your Highness/The King etc (consequent on the second).
Memorable junior cricket:
I took the day off school on my 12th birthday to head to the Gabba with my Dad and two grandfathers to watch QLD win the Sheffield Shield for the first time. It took me an hour to find them after running onto the field after Mocca took that grab at the end.
Journey:
I started playing grade cricket in 3rds for University Queensland Cricket Club at the turn of the century. I played my first game of 1st grade in 2003 before moving to Wests in 2006 after a stint at Challow & Childrey CC in Oxfordshire. At 25, I disappeared to the UK for 5 years where I played for Richmond in the Middlesex County Cricket League before returning to Wests for the twilight of my career. My last 1sts game was in 2017 and I have been descending the grades at pace since then. I’ve been lucky enough to win 1sts, 2nds, 3rds premierships in my time, as well as a couple UK league titles and 3 “world cups” for the Australian Lawyers Team.
Pre-match:
Taking my son for a swimming lesson. The transition from a gentle “eyes down, bubbles” to an aggressive “you’ll never be good enough to get bat on that one” is a harsh one.
Amuse on flights:
Flying has become a chore and there is no chance for much fun with a laptop (work) or toddler (holidays) on your lap.
Singer/band:
I’m lucky to have seen most of the artists I enjoy live, but I must confess I missed a week of cricket last season to attend a Wiggles concert. The opposition found out (no doubt dobbed in by my team mates) and rightfully didn’t miss me.
People don’t know?
Most new or younger opponents wouldn’t know that all the bluff and bluster and banter on the field these day is all a parody to distract myself from the aches and pains of 20 years of fast bowling.
Most annoying team mate?
Harrison Jones, without even pausing. Once drew over 50 inappropriate drawings on my car.
Fastest bowler:
Mitchell Johnson was the fastest I’ve played against. But the best quick I’ve had the honour of sharing a field with (even past his prime) was Greg Rowell - he taught me everything I needed to know about always running in hard and competing. We roomed together in Cambridge in ‘09 and the chat was immense and lasted well past midnight.
Best spinner:
I’m going to say one I played with - Andrew ‘Munsie’ Henderson when he ripped and dipped his way to 70 wickets en route to Wests 2nds breaking their 25-year premiership drought. One of the games great competitors- get around him!
Best innings:
Aaron Nye’s 4th innings hundred to chase down 200+ vs a top strength Gold Coast attack to win the 07/08 1st grade premiership showed just how good he was.
